Drafting assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus



July 20, 1965 B. c. COLE 3,195,133

DRAFTING' ASSEMBLY FOR FIBER ATTENUATING APPARATUS Filed June 21, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Barrel C. Cole Afforneys July 20, 1965 B. c. COLE 3,195,188

DRAFTING ASSEMBLY FOR FIBER ATTENUATING APPARATUS Filed June 21, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 V INVE TOR. 5 Barrel 0. 30/8 M ,CML'J'W A f forngy-s y 0, 1965 B. c. COLE 3,195,188

DRAFTING ASSEMBLY FOR FIBER ATTENUATING APPARATUS Filed June 21, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 e 7214 g G Fig 5. ,3846

48 b; M ii 45 INVEN TOR.

Barrel (2. Co/e W4, MY 4014 1,,

A f forngys United States Patent 3,195,188 DRAFTING ASSEMBLY FOR FIBER AT'I'ENUATING APPARATUS Barrel C. Cole, Columbus, Ga., assignor of fifty percent to Charlton H. Williams, Columbus, Ga. Filed June 21, 1963, Ser. No. 289,531 14 Claims. (Cl. 19-255) This invention relates to a drafting assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus and is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 249,098, filed January 2, 1963, and entitled Drafting Assembly for Fiber Attenuating Apparatus, now abandoned.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved assembly for supporting, guiding and tightening aprons of a drafting system.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cradle unit pivotally supported adjacent its lower end and having upstanding arms which are adapted for forward and rearward movement out of contact with any roll, together with means carried by the upstanding arms for supporting top and bottom nose bars for short top and bottom aprons which encircle the bosses of top rolls and bottom line rolls.

Another object of my invention is to provide a top roll unit in which the natural forward thrust on the top roll unit is limited solely by a pair of bottomaprons which are tightened and establish the forward position of the top nose bar, bottom nose bar and the top roll and maintain parallel alignment of the top roll unit with the bottom line roll.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide a top roll unit of the character designated in winch the spacing between the top nose bar and the top roll lim ted solely by the aprons which encircle them and resilient means is interposed between the top nose bar and ts associated top roll which forces the top nose bar and its top roll away from each other whereby the aprons are tightened and parallel alignment between the top nose bar and its top roll is maintained.

Another object of my invention is to provide a top roll unit of the character designated in which means is provided to vary the spacing between the top and bottom nose bars whereby the spacing may be adjusted accurately with a minimum of effort.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cradle assembly of the character designated wherein apron separation in the fiber control zone is restricted by resilient means. 7

A still further object of my invention is to provide a top roll unit of the character designated which shall include means to prevent rearward movement of the nose bars and top roll in case of backlash in the bottom line roll and at the same time shall not restrict forward movement of the top'roll.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the top roll unit removed from the assembly;

FIG. 2 i an enlarged, vertical sectional view taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing the cradle unit and bottom roll unit associated with the top roll unit;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a complete assembly, partly broken away and in section;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the top nose bar;

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FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the top nose bar;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the double boss cradle unit;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6 and showing the top nose bar in section; and,

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6, showing the top nose bar in section.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, I show a round support bar 11 which is attached non-rotatably to a roll stand 11 by any suitable means, such as by a bracket 12 which is secured in place by suitable securing means indicated generally at 13. As shown in FIG. 3, the support bar 10 extends in a horizontal plane and is aligned in parallel relation to bottom line rolls indicated generally at 14.

Mounted on the support bar 19 at longitudinally spaced intervals are support members 16. Each support member 16 is secured to the support bar It by suitable means, such as threaded members 17 whereby each support member may be adjusted and set in any selected position relative to the support bar. Each support member 16 is provided with an outwardly projecting arm 18 having an upwardly opening slot 19.

A double boss cradle unit indicated generally at 21 is supported-by the arms 18, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6. The cradle unit 21 comprises a base member 22 having fourupstanding arms 23, 24, 26 and 27. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the base 22 of the cradle unit is provided with notches 28 for receiving the portion of the forwardly projecting arms 18 which define the bottom of the up wardly opening slots 19. Accordingly, the sides of the upwardly opening slots 19 limit fore and aft movement of the base 22 while the sides of the notches 28 limit movement of the base 22 longitudinally of the supportbar 10. It will thus be seen that a loose fit is provided between the slots 19 and the notches 28, thereby permitting free pivotal movement of the cradle unit 21 relative to the upwardly opening slots 19 in the forwardly projecting arms 18. The portion of the base member 22 having the notches 28 therein is in the form of a vertically extending flange 29 whereby the lower portion of the cradle unit does not interfere with free pivotal movement about the pivot points defined by the notches 28. During installa tion, the outwardly projecting arms 18 are adjusted relative to the support bars19 and are secured rigidly thereto whereby the lower edge of the vertically extending flange 29 extends in a plane which is parallel to each bottom line roll 14.

F orwardly opening notches 31 are provided in the upstanding arms 23, 24, 26 and 27 for receiving and sup porting bottom nose bars 32 and 33. Separate bottom nose bars are preferred due to the fact that they are easy to install and remove. The outwardly opening notches 31 extend at the proper angle, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, whereby the bottom nose bars are adapted to support the forward portions of the bottom aprons indicated generally at 34. That is, the bottom aprons 34 encircle the bottom nose bar 32 or 33, as the case maybe, and the adjacent bottom line roll 14, as shown. The upstanding arms 23,

r 24, 26 and 27 are also in position to serve as guides for the aprons.

. Forwardly opening notches 35 are provided in the upstanding arms 23, 24, 26 and 27 above the notches 31, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, for receiving bearing surfaces of a top nose bar 36. That is, the top nose bar 36 is lateral movement of the top roll unit.

aligned by the upper portions of the upstanding arms 23, 24, 26 and 27. Openings 37 are provided through the nose bar 36 in position to receive the upper ends of the upstanding arms 24 and 26. The ends of the nose bar 36 are provided with rearwardly opening recesses 33 which receive the upper ends of the upstanding arms 23 and 27 carriedby the ends of the cradle unit 21. While I have shown rearwardly opening recesses 38 at the ends of the nose bar 36, it will be apparent that openings similar to the openings 37 may be provided adjacent the ends of the nose bar for receiving the upstanding arms 23 and 27. The openings 37 are of a size to receive the upstanding arms with a close fit and permit a limited amount of pivotal movement of the top nose bar 36 relative to the slots 35 in the upstanding arms. Passing around the top nose bar 36 and the bosses of its associated top roll 39 are top aprons 41.

Secured to the longitudinal center portion of the top nose bar 36 is a spring clip member 42 having one end thereof of a size to snap onto the intermediate portion of the nose bar 36 with a friction fit, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. That is to say, one end of the spring clip member 42, is formed whereby the inner surface thereof conforms to the outer surface of the intermediate portion of the nose bar 36 whereby the spring clip member is detachably and firmly attached to the top nose bar 36. A notch 40 is provided in the nose bar 36 for receiving the clip member 42 to limit lateral movement thereof. The other end of the spring clip member 42 extends upwardly and rear- .wardly as at 43 and then downwardly and rearwardly as at 44 to define an intermediate loop-like portion 45. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the downwardly and rearwardly extending portion 44 of the spring clip member 42 engages the lower forward portion of an intermediate portion 46 of the top roll 39. An annular recess 47 is provided in the intermediate portion of the top roll 39 for receiving the downwardly and rearwardly extending portion 44 of the spring clip member 42 whereby axial movement of the top roll 39 relative to the spring clip member 42 is limited.

The loop-like portion 45 defined by the upwardly and rearwardly extending portion 43 and the downwardly and rearwardly extending portion 44 thus defines a leaf-like spring which is adapted to bear against the forward surface of the intermediate portion 46 of the top roll.- The leaf spring thus tends to force. the top nose bar 36 and the top roll 39 away from each other whereby the top aprons 41 are tightened. While I have shown the spring clip member 42 as being adapted to snap onto the top nose bar 36 with a frictional fit,.it will be apparent that other means may be employed to attach the spring clip member to the top nose bar. With the top roll unit thus assembled, the top aprons 41 limit the outward pressure exerted by the spring clip member 42, thereby establishing spacing as well as parallel alignment between the top nose bar and the top roll. The amount of tension applied between. the top nose bar 36 and itsassociated top roll 39 is determined by the strength and type of spring clip member employed. Since the spring clip member 42 tends to exert downward and forward pressure on the top nose bar 36 and the contact of the top nose bar with the rear edge of the upstanding arms is also in a downward direction, no other hold-down means is required. Also, since the notched ends of the nose bar 36 rest against the upstanding arms of the cradle unit, the cradle unit also restricts It will thus be seen that the top nose bar, spring clip member, top roll and the top aprons form a self contained unit which is removable from the cradle.

. In order to vary the spacing between the top and bottom nose bars, the end portions 48 of the top nose bar 36 which engage the forwardly opening slots 35 in the up standing arms 23 and 27 are offset, as shown in FIG. 5,

. 4 between the top and bottom nosebars may be readily adjusted by merely inverting and changing the ends of the top nose bar 36. It will be apparent that upon thus reversing the ends of the top nose bar it is necessary to reverse the position of the spring clip memberj Downward pres-sure is applied to the intermediate portion 46 of the top roll 39 by a pressure pad 49 carried by stricted by contact with the upstanding arms of the cradle 7 unit which in turn are restricted by the. bottom aprons encircling the bottom roll and bottom. nose bars, the bottom aprons are tightened about the bottom nose bars and the bottom roll. Bottom apron tension may be increased or decreased by varying the angle or inclination of the under surface of the pressure pad 49 at the point of contact with the intermediate portion 46 of the top roll 39.

The top nose bar 36 is provided with a beaded rear edge 50 which is held with light and resilient tens-ion against the inner surface of the top apron 41 by means of the spring clip member 42. This serves .to hold the top aprons 41 firmly against the bottom aprons 34 and thus prevents apron separation in the fiber control zone. That is, the rear edge 50 engages the inner surface of the top apron 41 intermediate the point of contact between rolls 39 and 14 and the point of apron separation between the top and bottom nose bars.

To restrict'rearward movement of the cradle assembly.

in case of back-lash in the bottom rolls, such as when stopping the frame, I mount a button 54 formed of a suitable material. such as a plastic, on the web of the cradle unit 21. Preferably, a suitable opening is provided in the web of the cradle for receiving the button 54 with a press fit. Upon tightening the bottom aprons 34 the button 54 is in close proximity to the bottom roll 14 intermediate the bosses thereof. To accommodate variations in roll diameters, different size buttons 54 may be employed.

It will be seen that the forward position of the top nose bar having been established, the position and parallel alignment ofthe top roll 39 is also established by the di-' ameter of the topaprons 41 and tension on the aprons is established by the spring clip member 42. It will also be seen that the diameter of the bottom aprons 34 establish the forward position of the nose bars relative to the bottom line roll 14 associated with the bottom nose bars. In actual practice, I have found that standard production aprons are satisfactory in every respect since such aprons are manufactured in varying diameters of approximately .030 inch and the manufacturers tolerance for any given diameter is 7.01 inch. Accordingly, with my improved top roll unit, I obtain accurate position and align ment throughout the frame without having to rely upon ad subject to human error. In accordance'with my inven- I 36 which engages the aprons-41. Accordingly, the spacing justable overarms, nebs, and the like, which settings are tion, the aprons themselves control position and alignment whereby apron tension throughout the frame is uni-- form.

Form the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised an improved drafting assembly for fiber attenuating ap-' paratus which is extremely simple of construction, economical of manufacture and one which is particularly adapted for use on conventional type fiber attenuating apparatus. Also, in accordance with my invention, the natural forward thrust on the top roll unit is restricted solely by thebottom aprons which establish forward position of both bottom and top nose bars and the top roll as well as parallel alignment of the top roll unit with the. bottom line roll.

While I have shown by invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of variouschanges and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a drafting assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus including cooperating pairs of bottom line rolls and double boss top rolls, and top and bottom aprons surrounding at least one pair of said cooperating top and bottom line rolls,

(a) at least one top nose bar encircled by said top aprons,

(b) means positioning said top nose bar in parallel alignment with the bottom line rolls, and

(c) a spring clip member attached at one end to said top nose bar with the other end thereof extending rearwardly into contact with an intermediate portion of the top roll of said one pair of cooperating rolls to force said top nose bar and said intermediate portion away from each other whereby the top aprons encircling said top nose bar and the top roll of said one pair of cooperating rolls constitute the sole means resisting and limiting the force imparted by said spring clip member and constitute the sole means of establishing spaced and parallel relation between said top nose bar and said top roll.

2. In a drafting assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said one end of the spring clip member is of a shape to snap onto the longitudinal central portion of the top nose bar with a friction fit and said other end of the spring clip member extends rearwardly to define a loop-like member which engages a forward portion of said intermediate portion of the top roll of said one pair of cooperating rolls.

3. In a drafting assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said other end of the spring clip member extends upwardly and rearwardly and then downwardly and rearwardly adjacent a forward por tion of said intermediate portion of the top roll of said one pair of cooperating rolls.

4. In a drafting assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which an annular recess is provided in said intermediate portion of the top roll of said one pair of cooperating rolls in position to receive the rearwardly extending end of said spring clip member.

5. In a drafting assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus including cooperating pairs of bottom line rolls and double boss top rolls, and top and bottom aprons surrounding at least one pair of said cooperating top and bottom line rolls,

(a) a double boss cradle unit having at least two upstanding arms in front of said one pair of cooperating rolls,

(b) means supporting said cradle unit for forward and rearward movement,

(c) at least one bottom nose bar supported by said upstanding arms in position for said bottom aprons to encircle said bottom nose bar and constitute the sole means of restricting forward movement of said upstanding arms,

(d) at least one top nose bar aligned by said upstanding arms and encircled by said top aprons,

(e) resilient means interposed between said top nose bar and an intermediate portion of the top roll of said one pair of cooperating rolls forcing said top nose bar and said intermediate portion away from each other whereby the top aprons encircling said top nose bar and the top roll of said one pair of cooperating rolls constitute the sole means resisting and limiting the force imparted by said resilient means and constitute the sole means of establishing parallel and spaced relation between said top nose bar and the top roll of said one pair of cooperating rolls, and

(f) means to apply downward pressure on the top roll of said one pair of cooperating rolls.

6. In a drafting assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which rearward movement of the cradle unit is limited by a button-like member carried by the cradle unit in closely spaced relation to a forward surface of said one pair of cooperating bottom line rolls.

7. In a drafting assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which portions of said top nose bar adjacent said upstanding arms are offset relative to the portions thereof in contact with the aprons whereby the spacing between the top and bottom nose bars may be varied by inverting and changing the ends of said top nose bar.

8. In a drafting assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which openings are pro vided through said top nose bar for receiving the upper ends of said upstanding arms with a close but not binding fit to connect said top nose bar pivotally to said cradle unit.

9. In a drafting assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which the resilient means interposed between the top nose bar and an intermediate portion of the top roll of said pair of cooperating rolls comprises a spring member which exerts outward pressure against said top nose bar and downward pressure against the rear edge of said top nose bar whereby said rear edge contacts the inner surface of said top apron intermediate the point of contact between said one pair of cooperating top and bottom rolls and the point of apron separation between the top and bottom nose bars for said one pair of cooperating top and bottom rolls.

1%). In a drafting assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus as defined in claim 9 in which the spring member is a leaf spring detachably connected to the top nose bar and extending rearwardly into contact with the intermediate portion of the roll.

11. In a drafting assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which rearwardly opening recesses are provided adjacent the ends of said top nose bars for receiving the upper ends of the upstanding arms.

12. A drafting assembly as defined in claim 5 in which the means supporting the cradle unit comprises:

(a) an elongated support member supported in a fixed position in parallel relation to said one pair of cooperating rolls,

(b) forwardly extending arms mounting on said support member and adapted for angular and longittTdinal adjustment relative thereto, and

(c) means to lock said arms in selected positions relative to said support member.

13. A drafting assembly as defined in claim 12 in which upwardly opening slots are provided adjacent the forward ends of said forwardly extending arms and downwardly opening notches are provided in the cradle unit in position to engage said upwardly opening slots to limit lateral and fore and aft movement of the cradle unit.

14. In a drafting assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus including cooperating pairs of bottom line rolls and double boss top rolls, and top and bottom aprons surrounding at least one pair of said cooperating top and bottom line rolls,

(a) a double boss cradle unit having at least two upstanding arms in front of said one pair of cooperating rolls,

(b) means supporting said cradle-unit for forward and rearward movement,

(c) at least one top nose bar encircled by said top aprons,

(d) said top nose bar being held by said upstanding arms in parallel alignment with the bottom line rolls, and

a 7 V 8 (e) resilient means interposed between said top nose ing' spaced'and parallel relation between said top bar and an intermediate portion of the top roll of nose bar and said toproll; saidone pair of cooperating rolls for forcing said top j r r nose bar and said intermediate portion away from References Cited y the Examiner each other whereby the top aprons encircling said 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS top nose bar and the top roll of said one pair of cooperating rolls constitute the sole means resisting t 5/55 Neu et '"5 XR and limiting the force imparted by said resilient DONALD W PARKER Primary Examiner means and constitute the sole means of establish- 7 V V 

1. IN A DRAFTING ASSEMBLY FOR FIBER ATTENUATING APPARATUS INCLUDING COOPERATING PAIRS OF BOTTOM LINE ROLLS AND DOUBLE BOSS TOP ROLLS, AND TOP AND BOTTOM APRONS SURROUNDING AT LEAST ONE PAIR OF SAID COOPERATING TOP AND BOTTOM LINE ROLLS, (A) AT LEAST ONE TOP NOSE BAR ENCIRCLED BY SAID TOP APRONS, (B) MEANS POSITIONING SAID TOP NOSE BAR IN PARALLEL ALIGNMENT WITH THE BOTTOM LINE ROLLS, AND (C) A SPRING CLIP MEMBER ATTACHED AT ONE END TO SAID TOP NOSE BAR WITH THE OTHER END THEREOF EXTENDING REARWARDLY INTO CONTACT WITH AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION OF THE TOP ROLL OF SAID ONE PAIR OF COOPERATING ROLLS TO FORCE SAID TOP NOSE BAR AND SAID INTERMEDIATE PORTION AWAY FROM EACH OTHER WHEREBY THE TOP APRONS ENCIRCLING SAID TOP NOSE BAR AND THE TOP ROLL OF SAID ONE PAIR OF COOPERATING ROLLS CONSTITUTE THE SOLE MEANS RESISTING AND LIMITING THE FORCE IMPARTED BY SAID SPRING CLIP MEMBER AND CONSTITUTE THE SOLE MEANS OF ESTABLISHING SPACED AND PARALLEL RELATION BETWEEN SAID TOP NOSE AND SAID TOP ROLL. 